Manchester deploys small cells following new connectivity deal

More than 20 new small cells will be deployed in Manchester city center to improve 4G and later 5G mobile connectivity.

Installed by connectivity infrastructure provider Freshwave, the small cells will boost signal reception for those on the Virgin Media O2 network in congested areas of the UK city, including outside the Arndale shopping centre, Manchester Piccadilly station and Piccadilly Gardens.

“Everyone in Manchester deserves reliable, high-quality digital infrastructure,” said Councilor Rabnawaz Akbar, executive member for finance and resources at Manchester City Council. “We believe this agreement is a significant step towards achieving the goals set out in our Digital Strategy 2021-2026, which underlines our ambitious vision to build a more digitally capable future for Manchester.”

Installing small cells outdoors on city infrastructure, such as light poles, is becoming increasingly important, especially in busy city centers where mobile signals do not penetrate to street level from larger masts. As demand for mobile data continues to grow, many cities are looking to use outdoor small cells that are fixed at street level without adding additional clutter to the streetscape to increase network capacity in congested areas.

“Cities are certainly becoming increasingly interested in how they can work with providers like ourselves as well as mobile network operators to help improve connectivity in their areas and attract inward investment,” said Nick Wiggin, Head of Partnerships, Freshwave. Cities Today. “Deploying digital infrastructure requires collaboration both within the council and between different industry partners, and there is certainly an appetite from cities and local authorities. We’re trying to focus from the start on securing buy-in from local authorities.”

While it can be a slower process working with local government, Wiggin said that’s mainly due to a lack of dedicated digital resources in cities.

“There are so many competing priorities for them to meet,” he said. “Placing Digital Champions in local authorities, as having a point of contact in a local authority who can help move the process forward, is incredibly useful.”

Wiggin added that following the deal with Manchester City Council, he hopes to provide more connectivity in the city and other locations such as hospitals, education campuses and other businesses.